'anticonstitutionalism' originates from the combination of 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against'), 'constitutional' (from 'constitution'), and the suffix '-ism' (from Greek '-ismos' via Latin), where 'anti-' meant 'against' and '-ism' indicated 'doctrine or practice'.

'anticonstitutionalism' developed in modern English by prefixing 'anti-' to 'constitutionalism' (the word 'constitutionalism' itself coming from Middle English 'constitution' < Old French 'constitution' < Latin 'constitutio'). The phrase 'anti-constitutionalism' was used before the single-word form 'anticonstitutionalism' became established.

Initially, it meant 'opposition to constitutional principles or to the constitution itself,' and over time it has retained this core sense as a term for the doctrine or practice of opposing constitutional rule.